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A decade after the UK embarked on a hasty public vote that split the nation and unleashed turmoil, a caution comes from across the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Policymakers and electorate entered unwittingly Brexit and the identical might transpire with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering upheavals for which no one is ready.

That is the message from two leading commentators from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to scrutinise the benefits and drawbacks of Northern Ireland departing the UK to form a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Institutions Not Ready

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have concluded that the political establishments in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a possibly fraught and seismic referendum.

"The lesson of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that events can arise suddenly and can gather momentum swiftly," O’Toole stated. "It is my view that the political architecture of our archipelago remains very unstable."

New Title Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The team have studied the governmental, economic and cultural reasons for any governmental shift in a book, For and Against a United Ireland, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to provoke discussion on the topic with a tour of speaking events that will lead them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What haunts everyone, or must worry everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said the analyst.

"We should prevent a referendum on a binary, ambiguous question whose results have remained undefined because then you end up with an extremely polarised community where those defeated are resistant to defeat and the those successful don't know quite what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland secretary of state should call a referendum on Irish unification if it is indicated that a majority would vote in favour.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists say such a time is imminent, and a non-profit called Ireland’s Future has rallied support, but both governments and unionists play down the possibility, making it uncertain when or if there will be a national vote.

Absence of Substantive Discussion

Political rhetoric supporting and opposing unity has obscured the lack of informed dialogue, noted the journalist.

"People tend to be for or against the idea but the detailed consideration which could extend past that to achieve it hasn't for the most part happened. A great deal has taken place in universities but hardly any politicians or advocates want to engage with even the essentials. To illustrate, which kind of country would you want? Centralised? Federal?"

Volume's Strategy

In the publication, none of the commentators supports unification or the status quo. Both authors two articles that aim for objectivity in detailing the rationale for a united Ireland and the argument opposing it, assembling financial and societal data, past examples and structural examples.

Discussions encompass identity markers, taxes, health services, pensions, public liabilities and the danger of loyalist violence. The aim is to enlighten and provoke discussion.

"There is significant curiosity in the issue but there has not yet occurred a discussion," stated the writer. "Dialogue implies an recognition of the idea that there may exist reasonable perspectives on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where voters report they support unification but reject greater financial contributions or adopting a different emblem to reflect unionists' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin should establish what the plan from pro-unification movements is beyond just declaring: 'We want a united Ireland and we love you'," said O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

The journalist believes a referendum in his generation is likely and that it could happen unexpectedly. "There might be just a irresponsible or a ill-advised or a negligent government minister who declares: 'Let us proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Both nationalists and pro-UK supporters have plausible, valid perspectives, he stated. "One side will prevail here and the other side will eventually not succeed but both parties has got something to acquire from the alternative viewpoints."

Appeal for Wider Debate

Westminster needed to join the dialogue, stated the analyst. "This involves the United Kingdom. It's a British question as much as it is an Irish issue."